Proteomics and Genomics: As regards to BIOLOGICAL TARGETS IN MALARIA

kelvynn (25)in #steemstem • 7 years ago (edited)

Proteomics; a term used to define the study of proteins, it is generally used for research purposes and is often specifically used to refer to experiments on proteomes and protein identification.

Genomics; defines the study of genes, as it encompasses the mapping out and identification of genomes in all its entirety.

BIOLOGICAL TARGETS;

Biological targets are present within any living organism, ranging from the smallest microbes to large mammals, reptiles etcetera.
They are basically present for modification, in order to produce a therapeutic or pharmacologic effect (which might be adverse, but we do not really
want this).

Common classes of biological targets include proteins and nucleic acids (parts of DNA), that is genetic in nature.

Thus proteomics and genomics are definitely important as independent fields of study as they allow the easy identification of an array of biological targets. It should also be noted that the coding established by nucleic acids affect the type of proteins expressed by the organism

PROTEOMICS AND GENOMICS IN MALARIA

Moving on, malaria as a disease itself has a unique proteomic profile as it involves many life cycles which express different forms of proteins, thus selection of biological targets in such situations proves difficult.

There are four species of malaria, each exhibiting diverse protein expressions, namely ;

Plasmodium falciparum ( uncomplicated and cerebral malaria)

Plasmodium vivax ( relapse malaria)

Plasmodium malariae

Plasmodium knowlesi

PROTEOMICS and malaria;

Plasmodium falciparum being the most prevalent in humans exhibits various changes that can be classified as morphological, these changes cause a variation in protein expression especially seen in antigens of the outer membrane.

Mass spectromic based proteomic studies are carried out to identify the proteins expressed on the surface of the parasite, these proteins either have antigenic function or not. The presence of antigens is meant to give the immune system an upper hand, but immune activity is impaired due to the frequent change in protein structure or function.

This is why one will never hear of a malaria vaccine or resistance to malaria except in some unique cases such as sickler patients, and "red blood cell deformity" kind of illness, (my term for it).

In line with the fact that protein expression varies with function, the proteins identified on Plasmodium falciparum causing uncomplicated malaria varied from those causing cerebral malaria.

Genomics affect proteomics, this is the connection between the two, buttressed by the fact that there are 14 chromosomes which possess a number of genes that express proteins, thus it is safe to say that genetic coding affects protein expression

GENOMICS and Malaria;

Recent discoveries have highlighted the importance of gene expression, the falciparum genome has become highly comfortable in its hosts, due to post-transcriptional gene-silencing for control of genetic expression.

The genome is arranged into a core of reserved protective covering genes, between subtelomerically located genes responsible for coding surface proteins.

Genes unique to specific species affect the interactions with the erythrocytes, their immune systems and probably the hepatocytes.

The malaria genomes are also the key to development of resistance to antimalaria therapy, thus making the parasite a formidable challenge for researchers.

Malaria has a powerful effect on human health because its causal parasites are efficient at changing their genomes to resist both the antimalarial drugs and the human immune system.

There has also been an evolution of artemissinin malaria resistant parasites, and this has lit a fire under the toes of scientific organizations and research bodies as such is a globally threatening incident.

This Resistance to artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) therapies is seen in Thailand and is growing in some nearby areas